A dog owner is calling for police to do more to help rescue stolen dogs across the nation.

Jackie Robinson, 54, from Bishops Tawton has launched a campaign to raise awareness of pets being stolen and is arranging a march on Parliament. So far, she has raised nearly £600 towards the cause.

Mrs Robinson was compelled to act following the disappearance of her two dogs on Wednesday, March 13; Archie, a three-year-old border terrier, and Amy, a two-year-old border terrier, cross French bulldog.

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She said: “I was in Exeter Hospital taking a friend to an appointment; however they were running late. I phoned my friend and asked him to let the dogs out which he did, but since then, I have not seen them since.

“I still believe they’re out in the fields somewhere, but we’re against the clock to find them. Within the first 24 hours, you have a good chance of catching them, but it’s now about the time they will be starving and looking for somebody to help them.”

Mrs Robinson then decided to contact the police saying that her dogs had been stolen and reported suspicious white van activity in her neighbourhood within two-hours of her pets going missing.

Archie, a three-year old border terrier, and Amy a two-year old border terrier cross French bulldog. (Image: Jackie Robinson)

“I started a Facebook page and have had five different posts saying the same van had been seen acting suspiciously. I then contacted the police with copies of this report and photos of the van.

“They were not interested in seeing video evidence, so it felt as though I was doing their job for them and nothing really happened, until now after three complaints.

Mrs Robinson said that she had asked for the van’s registration to be placed on a national computer and that it had since been pulled over for driving with no insurance.

“The van was only seized due to my hard work, complaints and badgering,” she said.

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“I’m not saying these men have stolen Archie and Amy, but what I am suggesting is that they were acting suspiciously in many different areas around Devon over different days. After two complaints I requested that Barnstaple police put them on the national computer rather than being on a low-level stop and search in Devon and Cornwall only. Police tell me it was stopped because it had no insurance. I don’t agree with that; it was seized because of the hard work I put in.

“I understand lost or stolen dogs aren’t a priority in the police force, and I understand everything else would come before that, and they have a heavy workload, but this is the first time I’ve asked the police for any help, and I’m not getting it.”

Mrs Robinson added that she is also campaigning against dog fighting and that all vets should scan dogs for microchips to check owner’s details on every visit.

“I’m completely devastated to have lost my dogs,” she added, “but I’m strong and focused on finding them.”

“I survived cancer two years ago, and now I get up every day and focus not just on finding them but campaigning against what is going on. This is a global issue, and I want to do what I can to help stop it.

“I want to get the message to Government with new rulings for the police to visit these people’s homes. I want the police to be able to make a soft approach to van owners and to look around their property. They could have a puppy farm for all we know and have everybody’s dogs that are missing. It’s a big problem.”

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A police spokesperson said: “The police appreciate how important pets are to people; in most cases, they are seen as family themselves and a pet going missing can be heart-breaking. However, in the vast majority of cases, we are unable to prove that the domestic animal has been stolen and that they haven’t instead simply gone off exploring or gotten themselves lost. With limited resources, it isn’t possible for us to undertake active searches for missing pets in the majority of cases.

“We recommend that owners take all necessary precautions to protect their pets including microchipping; joining the national pets register for lost and found pets (https://www.nationalpetregister.org/) and Pets Located (https://www.petslocated.com/) or the Pet Owners Association (https://pet-owners.org.uk/) as well as undertake their own appeals on social media; there are numerous groups dedicated to helping owners find lost animals.

“If thefts are actually witnessed, then please contact the police who will assist.”

For more information visit “Please Help Find Missing Amy and Archie” on Facebook.